Cash register



March 6,. 1934. c. H. ARNOLD CASH REGISTER Filed Dec. 12, 1929 FIG. 2

gwue'n io'c Una-lea H. Arnold Hi, fitter net,

Patented Mar. 6, 1934 CASH REGISTER Charles H. Arnold, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton,

Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application December 12, 1929, Serial No. 413,655 12 Claims. (Cl. 235-130) This invention relates to improvements in registers and similar machines, and is particularly directed to locking mechanisms to lock the machine against operation after a predetermined number of actuations have been completed.

In certainkinds of business it is desirable that the operator of a machine shall know when the -machine has made a predetermined number of operations, as, for example, in banks, when the machine is used to list cancelled checks, the audit sheet is arranged to receive a certain number of impressions only, and the number of checks to be listed on such audit sheet may exceed the number of impression places provided thereon.

In such event, the operator should be advised at the time of printing the check data on the last place on which it is desired to print such data, to enable him, prior to the next operation, to adjust the audit sheet in position with an-== so other column of blank impression places in line with the printing devices.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplified controlling means to lock the machine against actuation after a cer 28 tain number of operations, thus informing the operator that his audit sheet is filled, and pre= venting operation of the machine until the locking device is released.

Another object is to provide a novel means to release the locking device after it has become effective, so that the parts may return to their starting positions, ready to lock the machine against actuation after another series of operations of the predetermined number have been made.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in left side elevation of one form of the novel controlling means to lock the machine, such means being applied to the usual clutch release mechanism of a register.

Fig. 2 is a detail side view of the release key for the controlling mechanism, the key being shown in its depressed position. V

This invention is illustrated as applied to the type of machine disclosed in the United States Letters Patent to B. M. Shipley, No. 1,619,796. dated March 1, 1927.

In machines oi such type, the machine releasing mechanism, as shown in Fig. 2 of the Shipley patent, is under control of a release shaft, urged in one direction by a spring, as shown in Fig. 6 of the Shipley patent. However, before the shaft can rock under the influence of the spring, to free the releasing means, it is necessary that certain control keys be actuated to displace certain locks which normally retain the release shaft against operation, all as fully disclosed in 66 United States Letters Patent to B. M. Shipley, No. 1,602,596, issued October 12, 1926.

Obviously, any means to lock or prevent the counter-clockwise movement of the release shaft,

will in turn prevent the machine releasing means 70 from functioning, thus preventing operation of the machine. The present invention which is designed to control the machine to lock the same after a predetermined number of machine operations have been made, may be conveniently con 15 nected with the release shaft, or with another element operable only as an incident to the operation of the machine.

As illustrated in the drawing, the machine, to which this invention is applied, for example, is equipped with the usual motor clutch restraining lever 30 (Fig. 1) journaled on a stud 29, pro= jecting from the main side frame 36 of the machine.

One arm of the release lever 30 forms a dog 3'? normally lying in the path of a shoulder 38 on the driven member 39 of the usual motor clutch through which the motor (not shown) drives the machine. A convenient form of motor clutch is fully illustrated and described in United States Letters Patent, No. 1,144,418, issued to Charles F. Kettering and William A. Chryst, June 29, 1915.

A spring 31, tends to rock the restraining lever in counter-clockwise direction, the lever being normally held against such movement by a sickle- 5 shaped latch arm 32 fast on a release shaft 33, which arm 32 hooks beneath a stud 34, mounted on one arm of the restraining lever 30. Thus, the release shaft 33, when rocked counter-clockwise, removes the latch arm 32 from beneath the stud 34, 00 to permit the spring 31 to rock the restraining lever 30 in counter-clockwise direction, and disengages the dog 37 from the shoulder 38 of the clutch to free the machine for operation. A stop stud 35 mounted in the main side frame 36 arrests the restraining lever 30 in released position.

A gear (not shown, but fully disclosed in Fig.

2 of the Shipley patent, No. 1,619,796), fast with the motor clutch, drives the main drive shaft of the machine. Near the end of the operation of 10 the machine, means (not shown) rocks restraining lever clockwise to again position the dog 37 thereon in the path of the shoulder 38 of the driven member of the clutch, to arrest the motor 5 clutch in its normal position. At the same time, means (also not shown) rocks release shaft 33 in clockwise direction to locate the latch arm 32 beneath the stud 34, thus locking the restraining lever 30, until the release shaft is again rocked, when released by the depression of the starting key, which latter disables the usual locking means normally preventing rotation of the release shaft 33. This mechanism forms no part of the present invention, and is fully described and illustrated in the previously mentioned Shipley patents, Nos. 1,619,196 and 1,602,596.

As one convenient means to accomplish the objects of the present invention, a controlling member operable step-by-step is arranged for operation by the restraining means, such member controlling the position of a locking member 62 to lock the release shaft 33 against movement, after the completion of a predetermined number of operations, a detailed description of which follows:

A ratchet wheel is journaled on a stud 46 pro- Jecting from an auxiliary plate 47 secured to the side frame 36. A feed lever 48 pivoted at 49 .on the auxiliary plate 47 is slotted at one end to accommodate a stud 50 carried by the adjacent arm of the restraining lever 30. A spring-pressed feed pawl 51 pivoted on the opposite arm of the feed lever 48 is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 45. Thus, as the restraining lever 30 rocks counter-clockwise, to release the motor clutch, its stud 50 rocks the feed lever 48 in clockwise direction, causing the pawl 51 to engage the ratchet wheel and advance the wheel one step.

The spring 80 holds a stud 81 on the pawl 51 of the feed lever 48 against a shoulder on the feed lever to retain the pawl in effective position relatively to the teeth of the wheel 45 when the parts are in their normal pomtion. and enable the pawl to ratchet over the teeth of the wheel 45 as the feed lever returns to its normal podtion.

A retaining pawl 52, also pivoted at 49, retains thewheel45inthepositiontowhichitisad'vanced on each operation of the machine.

One end of a tension spring 53 coiled about the stud46ishookedoverapin54mountedon wheel45,theotherendofthespring beinghooked over a pin 55 mounted in the auxiliary plate 47, the spring tending to turn the wheel 45 in clockwise direction, to its initial or home position as determined by contact of a stop stud 56 mounted in the wheel 45, against an abutment 5'1 mounted in the,auxiliary plate 47. As the pawl 51 advancesthewheel45stepbyaenthestud54 mountedinthe'wheel45windsthespring53on thesmd46,withdrawingthestopstud56of the wheel 45, ooimter-clockwisc away from the abutment 5'1, the retaining pawl 52 looking the wheel 45 against clockwise rotation at this time.

Thustheordrivedisablinglever 30 at each operation will advance the controlling wheel 45 one step in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1.

Aflangeorringplatewissecuredtooneface of the wheel 45, the flange being or notchedatonepolnhasatfl.

'Theflnger 61 ofalockingleverd! isnormally held by a spring 63,'again the periphery of the flange or ring 60 which travels relatively to the :6 finger asthewheel 45advances. Theforwardly extending arm 64 of the lockin lever 62 .is adapted to'cooperate with the shoulder 66 of a retaining arm 66 secured to the release shaft 33. As long as the locking arm 62 is prevented from any clockwise movement, due to contact of the'flnger 61 with the unmutilated periphery of the ring plate 60, the forwardly extending arm 64 of the locking lever 62 is held out of the path of the shoulder of the retaining arm 66, to enable the release shaft 33 to withdraw the latch arm 32 from beneath the stud 34, and enable the spring 31 to rock the restraining lever 30 to its idle position and free the drive mechanism for operation.

The wheel 45, after a predetermined number of step-by-step advances corresponding with the number of operations of the machine, brings the notchorrecess6'1 of theringorflange60into registry with the finger 61 of the locking lever 62, whereupon the spring 63 rocks the locking lever 62 to enter its finger 61 into the recess 6'1, and position the forwardly extending arm 64 of the locking lever in the path of the shoulder 65 of the retaining arm 66, to lock the release shaft 33 against any counter-clockwise travel, and hence prevent withdrawal of the latch arm 32 from beneath the stud 34 of the restraining lever 30. Under this condition, any of the control keys (not shown) may be operated to remove the interference which normally prevents movement of the release shaft 33, without affecting the release shaft which remains locked by the above described mechanism.

The automatic locking of the machine against operation informs the operator that a predetermined number of operations have been completed, 110 and enables him to make such adjustment of the record material or remove it and substitute a new sheet or perform such other act as may be desirinc . able.

Itisthentoreleasethelockingmeans, 15 toenablethestep-by-stepcontrollingwheelfl to return to its normal position, before the maehinecanbeoperated. V

Conveniently,anangularly formedreleasekey 16,isprovided.thebodyo6whiehisalottedtom andbeguidedbythereleaseshaft 33andastud'i1mountedinthemxiliaryplate 4'1. Aspring'l2r-eturnsthereieasekeytoand retainsitiniisnormai the projectaissomewhltwideratitsuwerthmat itslowerendtoenablealimitedrockingmmement,withdrawstheflnger6lfromthenotch6'l. permittingthecoiledspring53to following operation of the machine, as follows: It will be remembered that the lower slot 85, through which the guide stud 71 projects, is wider at the upper end than it is at the lower end, to permit the key 70 to rock relatively to the release shaft 33, when in its depressed position, (Fig. 2).

The restoring spring 72 for the release key 70 also tends to rock the key in clockwise direction around'the release shaft 33 so that as the key 70 is depressed, the wide portion of the slot 85, allows the spring 72 to pull thekey 70 clockwise, and position a projection 86 of the key in a notch 8'7 formed in the auxiliary plate 47, to retain the key 70 depressed.

It can be seen in Fig, 2 that the key 70, when depressed, positions a stud 90 mounted on the key, above the edge 91 of the previously-mentioned retaining arm 66. After the locking lever 62, which prevents movement of the release shaft 33, and the wheel 45 have both returned to their normal positions, preparatory to another series of operations, the release shaft 33 is free to rock under control of the previously mentioned control keys. As the release shaft 33 and the retaining arm 66 secured thereto are tripped to rock in counter-clockwise direction under the influence of the spring shown in Fig. 6 of the Shipley patent, No. 1,619,796, upon starting the machine on the first of a new series of operations, the edge 91 of the retaining arm 66, contacts the stud 90 of the depressed key 70 and tends to force the key 70, upwardly, but the key 70, being locked by the projection 86 positioned in the notch 87 of the auxiliary plate 47, prevents direct upward movement of the key.. As a result the edge 91 of the retaining arm 66, by its pressure against the stud 90, rocks the key 70 counter-clockwise about the release shaft 33, the wide portion of the slot 85 permitting such movement, to withdraw the projeciion 86 from the notch 87 of the auxiliary plate 47, to enable the spring 72 to raise the key 70 to its normalposition.

The release key 70, as it restores to normal, carries the stud 73 out of contact with the cam face 74 of the retaining pawl 52, to enable the retaining pawl to engage the teeth of the wheel 45, under the influence of its spring 58, and as the retaining pawl returns to'its effective position, it withdraws its stud 75 from contact with the hook 76 of the locking lever 62 to enable the spring 63 to rock the locking lever 62, until the finger 61 again rests against the periphery of the ring plate 60, at which time the forwardly extending arm 64 of the locking lever has shifted out of the path of the shoulder 65 of the retaining arm 66.

The parts are now in position for a repetition of their locking action when the series of operations attains the predetermined number at which the mechanism is set to operate.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed as new, is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the com bination of drive mechanism for the machine; normally effective means to retain the drive mechanism idle,-said means being operated to start the drive mechanism for each cycle of operation; controlling means operable step by step by the retaining means upon each operation of the retaining means to start the machine; locking means controlled by the controlling means to prevent operation of the retaining means after a predetermined number of steps of operation of the controlling means; and means to disable the locking means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a drive means; means to restrain the drive means against operation; releasing means, including a rock shaft, to disable the restraining means; of means operated by the restraining means to lock the rock shaft after a predetermined number of operations, thereby locking the releasing means; manipulative means to release the locking means; latching means to latch the manipulative means in the position in which it releases the locking means; and means operable by the rock shaft to release the manipulative means.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with drive means; means to restrain the drive means against operation; releasing means, including a rock shaft to disable the restraining means; of controlling means progressively advanced by the restraining means; locking means controlled by the controlling means to lock the rock shaft and releasing means against operation after the controlling means has advanced a predetermined number of steps; a manipulative device to release the locking means; means to latch the manipulative device in operated position; and means operable by the releasing means on the succeeding operation of the machine to unlateh the manipulative device.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with drive means; means to restrain the drive means against operation; and means to release the drive means for operation; of springtensioned means operated by the restraining means; a retaining means to hold the springtensioned means after each operation thereof; locking means controlled by the spring-tensioned means to lock the releasing means; a manipulative device; means carried by said manipulative device to withdraw the retaining means; and means carried by the retaining means to release the locking means.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a normally idle drive means; and releasing means to render the drive means effective; of spring-actuated means operated by the release means; a retaining means to hold the spring-actuated means after each operation thereof; locking means controlled by the springactuated means to lock the releasing means against operation; a manipulative device to release saiol locking means and free said springactuated means; means to restore the springactuated means to its initial position; and means to hold the manipulative device in position to maintain the locking means ineffective until the succeeding operation of the machine.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a normally idle drive means; and releasing means to render the drive means effective; of control means operated by the release means; a retaining means to hold the control means after each operation thereof locking means controlled by the control means to lock the releasing means against operation; a manipulative device to release said locking means and free said control means, means to restore the control means to its initial position; means to hold the manipulative device in position to maintain the locking means ineffective until the succeeding operation of the machine; and means operable by the releasing means on such succeeding operation to free the manipulative device for restoration to normal. I

7 In a machine of the class described, the combination with a machine-releasing means, including a rock shaft adapted to be rocked before the release means can function; of a normally ineffective locking means adapted to lock the rock shaft to indicate a predetermined number of operations; means operated by the release means to control the effectiveness of the locking means; a manipulative device to release the controlling means, to again render the locking means ineffective; latching means tolatch the manipulative means in the position in which it renders the locking means ineffective; and means operable by the releasing means to enable the restoration of the manipulative device to idle position. u

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a .machinereleasing means, including a rock shaft to be rocked before the release means can function; of a normal ineffective locking means to lock the rock shaft to indicate a predetermined number of operations of the machine; means operated by the release means to control the efiectiveness of the locking means; a retaining means for the control means; a manipulative device to release the retaining means; the retaining means, in turn, controlling the release of the locking'means.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a drive; and means to render the drive effective; and a disk advanced step-bystep at each operation of the machine; of a mutilated flange carried by the disk; a locking member for the means which renders the drive means effective; the unmutilated area of the flange adapted to hold the locking means idle; a manipulative device adapted to restore the locking member to its idle position; means to latch the manipulative device in effective position; and

means operable by the means which renders the 'means operable at each operation of the machine drive mechanism for drive effective, to release the manipulative device for restoration to normal.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a drive means; of means to render the drive means effective including a rock shaft; means to lock the rock shaft against operation, including a retaining member fast on the shaft and an arresting means shiftable into and out of the path of the retaining member;

to control the arresting member; a manipulative device to release the locking means; means to latch the manipulative device in its effective position; and means controlled by the rock shaft to unlatch the manipulative device. I

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a drive means; of means to render the drive means effective, including a rock shaft; means to lock the rock shaft against operation, including a retaining member fast on the shaft and an arresting means shiftable into and out of the path of the retaining member; means operable at each operation of the machine to control the arresting member; a manipulative device capable of both rectilinear and rocking movement to release the locking means and to latch the manipulative device in operated position; and means controlled by the rock shaft and operable upon the manipulative device when in effective position, to unlatch the manipulative 108 device.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of drive mechanism for the machine; means operable at the end of each cycle of operation to arrest the drive mechanism-c110 means to release arresting means to release the each cycle of operation; controlling means operable step by step by the arrestingmeans upon each releasing movement thereof; and locking means controlled by the cen- 118 trolling means to prevent release of the arrest ing means after a predetermined number (1 steps of operation of the controlling means, to prevent release of the machine.

CHARLES H. ARNOLD. 120 

